Bibliographic Citation: Riordan, Rick. (2008). The maze of bones. New York : Scholastic.
Summary: Book 1 of the 39 Clues series. Amy and Dan Cahill discover their family is one of the most powerful families in human history. The source of that power is hidden around the world in the form of 39 clues. Amy and Dan are given a choice between a million dollars and walking away or receiving the first clue. Amy and Dan chose to take the clue and so begins a dangerous race to discover the rest.
Reviews: “Built around a ripe conceit--wealthy matriarch scatters cryptic clues to a mysterious fortune around the globe--this first installment in a projected t0-book series is tons of fun. Lead-off hitter Riordan (The Lightning Thief) mixes just the right proportions of suspense, peril and puzzles in a fast-paced read (Riordan mapped the narrative arc for all 10 volumes, but other high-profile authors will be writing for the series, too). Likable orphans Amy and Dan Cahill have moxie (plus Dan can memorize numbers instantly) and frailties (Amy hates crowds). As the siblings compete with less honorable members of the Cahill clan, all distantly related to Benjamin Franklin, to win the fortune by collecting all 39 clues (only two are found in this first book), they learn about their dead parents, each other and world history. The humor is spot on--one uncle is credited with inventing the microwave burrito. The only flaw? The story does not end so much as drop off a cliff. (The second book, One False Note by Gordon Korman, is set to arrive in December.) While waiting, readers can collect cards, each of which contains evidence, and play the online game (www.the39clues.com), for which Scholastic is offering over $100,000 in prizes. This ought to have as much appeal to parents as it does to kids--it's Webkinz without the stuffed animals, and a rollicking good read. Ages 9-12. (Sept.)” The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones. (2008). Publishers Weekly, 255(38), 58-59. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
“Upper elementary and middle school students will love this quest novel. Full of action, danger, and mystery, it stars orphans Amy and Dan Cahill, whose grandmother pits them against other distant relatives seeking to discover the secret that hasmade the Cahill family so powerful for several hundred years. Different teams of family members receive the same clue to this secret at the reading of Crace Cahill's will; 38 more clues remain to be found.” In this First book in the series, the search takes Amy and Dan from Massachusetts to Philadelphia to Paris. The siblings survive a fire, a concussion bomb, and entrapment in the Parisian catacombs en route to finding the second clue. Readers will relate to the realistically drawn Cahill siblings and easily forgive any less-probable elements in the exciting plot. To be released concurrently with the book are trading cards and an online game, complete with prizes. Librarians should be aware that the trade edition only will contain trading cards. Purchase multiple copies and reserve funds for subsequent books in the series (each title to be written by a different popular author); readers will be clamoring for both.Recommended.” The 39 Clues, Book One: The Maze of Bones. (2009). Library Media Connection, 27(6), 71. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Personal Impressions: I first discovered this series at a book fair at the library but did not read the book until this class. The story is full of puzzles and mystery as well as suspense. There is also an interactive online website and when the books were first released, you could have won prizes for finding all 39 clues and entering them online. The book was a fun book to read and gave the reader a chance to solve the puzzles along with the characters. I wish I had discovered this book earlier and perhaps could have participated in the interactive clue game!
Suggestions for Use: This would be a good books series to inspire a clue/scavenger hunt library program activity. It’s also a good book for introducing some historical figures and landmarks. You could discuss the people or places mentioned in each of the books.
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